A seven-member committee was formed to evaluate 15 years of ICT-related projects under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology. The investigative officers met on Monday to discuss the report at the ICT Division. The findings of the report are scheduled to be released on Tuesday.
The evaluation of projects implemented and ongoing under the Ministry over the past 15 years has been completed. After 90 consecutive days of review, the report was submitted on Sunday by a four-member investigation committee formed on August 22.
The members of the committee include Dr. Md. Tayyabur Rahman, Joint Secretary (Head of Planning Division); Md. Jane Alam, Additional Secretary (Administration); Sharmin Sultana, Deputy Secretary (Planning-3); and Member Secretary Md. Jane Alam.
According to the committee, the report highlights various challenges and failures in project implementation after reviewing completion reports, audit objections, procurement activities, and the progress of action plans. These challenges have limited the development potential of the Ministry. To overcome these obstacles, the committee has made several key recommendations.
The recommendations emphasize ensuring transparency in financial activities by regularly depositing VAT and taxes, as well as ensuring the competence and stability of project directors. The committee also stressed the need to complete the recruitment process of project directors immediately after project approval. Other notable recommendations include consulting stakeholders and conducting accurate surveys to determine project needs and scope during planning, resolving audit objections promptly while taking preventive measures to avoid similar issues in the future, and ensuring regular inspections and quality control during project implementation.
Regarding the findings, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Jasim Uddin, stated, “The absence of proper surveys and consultations with stakeholders during project planning has led to frequent changes in scope and design, causing delays and cost escalations. This has delayed the benefits of these projects reaching the public. Furthermore, some projects have not properly assessed their financial, technical, and economic impacts, leading to failures in achieving desired outcomes. Many audit objections remain unresolved, creating obstacles to financial transparency. Additionally, the failure to submit project completion reports (PCR) for several projects has made it difficult to evaluate their effectiveness.”
He further added that the success of the Ministry’s development initiatives depends on proper planning, effective implementation, and financial transparency. The committee’s report will serve as a clear roadmap for the Ministry’s future progress.
Following the student-people uprising in July, one of its coordinators, Md. Nahid Islam, assumed the role of advisor to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology under the interim government. Shortly after taking office, he directed the formation of a special investigation committee to assess the corruption, irregularities, challenges, and future course of action for all projects implemented between 2009 and 2024.
